Acute, dysfunction that occurs in patients on hemodialysis who are severely uremic and undergo aggressive dialysis that results in rapid fluid shift and alterations in blood chemistries. The symptoms may include general malaise and mild headache, that can progress to more severe manifestations, including hypertension, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, blurred vision, tremors, seizures, altered or loss of consciousness, coma and, in severe cases, death. May occur with presentation in patients who are not adequately dialyzed (e.g. poor vascular access, missed or shortened treatment). These manifestations are thought to be the result of cerebral edema occurring from disequilibrium between blood and cerebrospinal fluid pH, concentrations of electrolytes and uremic toxins.
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